THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION (AAPSA)
PRESS STATEMENT
The Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association (ABPSA) was informed by its
Members of the statements made by goverment officials (and which is being
bandied about in the press) of the introduction of mandatory testing of all
unvaccinated Civil Servants.
It was further stated that this testing, which is to be
done bi-monthly at the worker’s expense, will now be a policy for the performance
of normal work/duties for un vaccinated civil servants. Moreover, Individuals who
do not provide results from suid testing will be burred from work on a No-pay Leave
basis.
The union wishes to state categorically that there was NO consultation with
them regarding this new development.
The union is mindful that the health, safety and welfare of Civil Servants MUST be
prioritized, given the effects the Covid-19 Pandemic, as the economy strives for
normalcy. We ALL agree that individual personal responsibilities must be
exercised and caution should not be thrown to the wind.
If one worker is infected that person can infect the entire office, resulting in a domino effect.
Alihough there are protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, the union is not
convinced that Departmental Heads are implementing these protocols. Therefore,
Heads need to take charge of their Ministries and Departments.
We have received complaints from Members that offices are not being sanitized
and adequate cleaning supplies such as Lysol, hand sanitizers or PPE’s are not
provided.
Self-funded mandatory testing cannot be an arbitrary decision when we are faced
with health and safety concems.
It appears as though there is a one size fit all model for every Ministry and Departments to implement.
A thorough assessment needs to be done and where necessary adjustments made with senior officers tasked with the opportunity to strategize the way forward.
The union is demanding a review of the government’s policy of mandatory selffunded bi-monthly testing for unvaccinuted civil servants and that an assessment he
done of the protocols of the ministries and departments with a view to having sound
procedures and protocols to control the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
ABPSA is asking its Members to continue follow the COVID-19 Protocols,
GENERAL SECRETARY – ABPSA
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